I really think this situation is going to work out well for us. Even though we have the best record in the NL we are somehow viewed (nationally) as the underdogs. I think this will allow Joe to keep the club loose and good things will happen.

Looking back at the season series with the Cards, most of the losses were of the hard luck variety. Yes, Carp and Wainwright pitched very well, but we got to Wainwright late in L.A. (a little TOO late, but still...). Set aside Blake's error in the first game and the Bills meltdown in the second game and you can safely say that the Dodgers limited the Cardinals' offense.

Definitely seen as underdogs to the rest of the country. Fine. Let's prove it not to be the case. Also, it will shut my father-in-law up; he's already written the season off at this point. He's like the anti-Karina.

This morning, Juan Vene (a baseball journalist i worship even in the rare case when i don't share his opinions) stated on his daily column that Joe Torre and Mike Scioscia should win the "Manager of the Year" awards, because the teams they lead should play the World Series.

Do you know which teams Juan Vene is paid to cover? Yankees and Mets, so i guess it's a good sign.